Leatherheads ***
Cast: George Clooney, Renée Zellweger, Jonathan Pryce, John Krasinski
Director: George Clooney
Running Length: 1:54
MPAA Classification: PG-13

In 1925, professional football is struggling to survive. They play where they can, in front of few people. There is no future for someone who wants to play after graduation from college. Dodge Connelly (Clooney), an aging player has a plan. He wants to recruit college star Carter Rutherford (Krasinski) with the help of C.C. Frazier (Pryce), a sports promoter. Rutherford is a war hero, and is offered $10,000 per game. With the deal made, football becomes suddenly important. But there is a problem. Newswoman Lexie Littleton (Zellweger) is digging into Carter’s past to uncover the truth about his service in WWI, which may have been embellished.

“Leatherheads” is an amusing film that is a throwback to older screwball comedies. It is not perfect, but it does have its moments. Clooney and Zellweger play off of each other well, with quick witty dialogue. Krasinski is also credible as the young hero whose star is on the rise. Finally, the film is not all fluff, as it explores the making of a hero and the turning of a sport from being just for fun into being a business. The movie is always light and enjoyable.